Riyad Al-Maliki (L), Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (R), during Wednesday's joint press conference Photo: PAP/Pawel Supernak
“Poland recognised Palestinian independence as early as the 1980s, and it unswervingly continues to support the aspirations of the Palestinian nation to have its own state, based on the 'two-state solution' [with Israel] ,” Sikorski told journalists at a press conference in Warsaw.
Sikorski stressed Israel's right to secure borders, but noted that Poland viewed Israeli settlements “on Palestinian land as illegal."
Israeli-Palestinian talks were renewed in July following efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry, with the aim of reaching a permanent settlement in nine months.
Sikorski reflected that in his opinion, last week's preliminary deal between the West and Iran on the latter's curbing of its nuclear programme had seemed an even more insurmountable challenge.
“This could be an inspiration to both parties, and particularly to the stronger side in these negotiations, namely Israel."
Meanwhile, Riyad Al-Maliki, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, stressed that “we cannot spare any efforts, because we won't be able to tolerate failure.”
In terms of Polish-Palestinian cooperation, he said that “this year has been very active in increasing relations between our two countries at different levels.”
The Warsaw meeting was also attended by representatives of Poland's ministries of the economy, culture, sport, tourism and of the interior.
“We hope to develop our cooperation in all these areas,” Sikorski said.
Last November, Poland abstained in a UN General Assembly vote to give Palestine 'non–member observer status', arguing that “we believe that the only effective way of resolving the Middle East peace process is through direct negotiations between the parties.” (nh)
Source: PAP/ msz.gov.pl